The research, which surveyed 5,106 U.S. adults, reveals a U-shaped pattern of financial anxiety. While those earning between $100,000 and $300,000 report the lowest levels of strain, the pressure intensifies again at the top of the income bracket. Chris Ceder, a senior retirement strategist at Goldman Sachs, notes that financial security does not improve in a straightforward, linear fashion with pay increases.
High Earners Struggle With Paycheck-to-Paycheck Living
More than a third of American households earning over $300,000 annually report living paycheck to paycheck, according to a 2026 retirement survey by Goldman Sachs Asset Management. The findings suggest that financial strain does not simply vanish as income climbs, but instead follows a complex, non-linear path.
Credit card behavior highlights this disconnect. Among those earning more than $300,000, 42% reported making only minimum payments on their credit cards, a figure comparable to those earning less than $100,000. For the highest earners—those making $500,000 or more—that number jumps to nearly 50%, up from 39% a year ago. Across all income levels, roughly 70% of respondents admitted to delaying significant financial milestones, such as retirement savings goals. While the material realities of a $50,000 salary differ vastly from a $500,000 income, the psychological and structural strain remains a common denominator.
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